Abstract
This article reviews the performance of thirteen cars, with or without side airbags, in side impact tests carried out by the US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Only two of the cars, the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord, earned good ratings, and these only when the side airbags were fitted. The Chevrolet Malibu with side airbags rated acceptable. Two features were considered important in side impact protection: a side structure that resists major intrusion and side airbags with head protection. Side airbags must cover enough of the window to prevent the head from sliding underneath or around them.